Gold Line Board Moves to Condemn Monrovia Land
The Gold Line Construction Authority will pursue eminent domain action to take Monrovia's land in case a court ruling effectively voids a $56 million deal it reached with the city.
The Gold Line Construction Authority officially moved to condemn 14 acres of Monrovia land Wednesday in a contingency plan meant to keep the Foothill Extension on track if a state court decision voids a deal between the two parties.
Monrovia agreed to sell its land to the GLCA for $56 million in July for use in a maintenance yard project critical to the progress of the Foothill Extension.
But a lawsuit that will determine the fate of redevelopment agencies across the state threatens to derail the deal. If the California State Supreme Court rules that legislation dismantling the agencies is constitutional, the Gold Line land deal will effectively die.
Lisa Levy Buch, spokeswoman for the GLCA, said via email that the eminent domain action is a back-up plan in case the courts decide against redevelopment.
"[The GLCA board] unanimously approved it with the understanding that should the Supreme Court rule in favor of redevelopment agencies, this action doesn't negate our ability to move forward with a negotiated agreement," Buch wrote.
Outgoing Monrovia City Manager Scott Ochoa said that the city will vigorously fight any condemnation action, but he did not anticipate that the use of eminent domain would actually come to pass. Even if the court rules against redevelopment agencies, special legislation would likely allow the city to execute its deal with the GLCA, he said.
"We’re going to monitor the situation," Ochoa said. "We’re obviously concerned as it impacts Monrovia's interests but at the end of the day we expect the Gold Line to honor the deal made in good faith negotiation."
Buch said the eminent domain action came into play after officials heard that the prospects of victory in the redevelopment lawsuit "didn't sound very good." If the state eliminates redevelopment, the property on Evergreen Avenue owned by the Monrovia Redevelopment Agency will be turned over to a state-run oversight committee.
"My understanding is that if the state rules in that worst case scenario there is no agency to negotiate with," Buch said.
A court ruling is expected to come down by Jan. 15, Buch said.
Heather Shaw
8:26 am on Thursday, December 22, 2011
As much as I hate to see Monrovia lose that revenue, I agree with the MTA. It is the best course of action given the antics of Sacramento. I hope the MRA wins their case so things can move ahead as planned, nevertheless, it is vital that the expansion not be stopped by Jerry Brown's idioc posturing.
Joe Black
8:51 pm on Friday, December 23, 2011
LOL, Fleeing Scott Ochoa will fight condemnation of City Land! Yeah Right...Scott and Mayor Lutz got us into this mess by promising land they don't own, and now they cry fowl when GLCA threatens them with the same treatment as George Brokate. Scott and Mayor Lutz were all for letting GLCA Eminent domain Mr Brokate's Property. Funny how ones opinions change when the Government goes after your land. The really sad thing is that it is the residents of Monrovia's land. The only Silver lining is that Scott Ochoa is Moving to Glendale so he can't do any more damage here. The next step is to get rid of Mayor Lutz!
Steve Buckner
5:30 am on Saturday, December 24, 2011
Steve Buckner
11:48 am on Thursday, March 24, 2011
Karma is a law in Hinduism which maintains that every act done, no matter how insignificant, will eventually return to the doer with equal impact. Good will be returned with good; evil with evil. Since Hindus believe in reincarnation, karma knows no simple birth/death boundaries. If good or evil befall you, it is because of something you did in this or a previous lifetime.